Ortom describes Wike’s comments against him as diversionary

The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has pledged not to respond to further comments against him by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, describing them as diversionary.
Ortom disclosed this yesterday at the swearing-in of five permanent secretaries at the Benue Peoples House, Makurdi.

He said some people who were not happy about his transparent government sponsored the campaign of calumny against him. Ortom said: “They are not happy because I am honest and transparent, as even union leaders sit on the table with us to do the sharing of any allocation we receive. They are against me because of all these.”

He said he had no basis to engage Wike in any rift, because he did not believe in the rule of law, adding that he would resist all temptations aimed at distracting his attention from good governance.

He appealed to the people not to worry about the title of the anti-grazing bill, stating that it would not encourage open grazing in places where there was no land. Ortom explained that the bill was subjected to public hearing to get the people’s contributions, stressing that he could not ban herdsmen from coming to the state because it is against the constitution.

He warned the new permanent secretaries against converting public funds into personal use, stressing that he would not shield anyone involved in fraudulent practice. The new permanent secretaries are Dr. Elijah Sase, Mr. Elvis Attah, Iduh Adams, Francis Tile and Mrs. Veronica Onyeke.